Dubai World Cup Winner Hit Show Repeats at Mountaineer

[Wandering Eyes]

It's not often the winner of a global $12-million Group 1 event just four months ago gets his next victory in a listed black-type race in West Virginia, but that's exactly what happened with Hit Show (h, 5, Candy Ride {Arg}–Actress, by Tapit), who parlayed victory in the G1 Dubai World Cup in April into a repeat win in the West Virginia Governor's Stakes at Mountaineer Sunday evening. It may not have been the most conventional move, but it was a hard-fought return to the winner's circle for the gray, who was last seen finishing fifth to 'TDN Rising Stars' and MGISWs Mindframe (Constitution) and Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) in the GI Stephen Foster Stakes June 28.

The second choice Sunday at 7-5, Hit Show broke smartly and found himself caught four wide on the first turn before settling into a solo spot midpack behind :23.96 and :47.97 early fractions as 3-5 choice Not This Boy (Not This Time) showed the way. Hit Show rallied three wide on the final bend to draw alongside Not This Boy and looked for a brief instant to go by, but Not This Boy was game as they come, fighting back on the inside. The two joined in battle down the lane, drawing well clear of the rest, with the Dubai World Cup winner getting his head down on the line. It was 7 1/2 lengths back to third-place finisher Jokestar (Practical Joke).

In addition to the Dubai World Cup, Hit Show won the Governor's Stakes last year when it was a Grade III event. He also captured the GIII Louisiana Stakes at Fair Grounds earlier this year, and previously won the GII Hagyard Fayette Stakes, the GII Lukas Classic Stakes, and the GIII Withers Stakes, while also placing in both the GI Santa Anita Handicap and the GII Wood Memorial Stakes. His first dozen career starts were in Gary and Mary West's silks, with Wathnan Racing purchasing him privately after last year's Governor's Stakes.

Hit Show's dam, winner of the 2017 GII Black-Eyed Susan Stakes and GIII Comely Stakes and a daughter of 2009 Canadian champion Milwaukee Appeal (Milwaukee Brew), has not produced a foal since 2022. She was bred to Candy Ride for next term.

 

What a stretch battle! The Dubai World Cup winner #8 HIT SHOW ($4.80) narrowly defeated Not This Boy to defend his title in the $200,000 West Virginia Governor's Stakes at @mtrgaming. @Flothejock was aboard the 5YO son of @LanesEndFarms' Candy Ride for trainer @BradCoxRacing. pic.twitter.com/xJreEm4tZR

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 3, 2025

WEST VIRGINIA GOVERNOR'S S., $200,000, Mountaineer Casino & Resort, 8-3, 3yo/up, 1 1/16m, 1:43.63, ft.
1–HIT SHOW, 124, h, 5, Candy Ride (Arg)–Actress (MGSW,
$545,150), by Tapit. O-Wathnan Racing; B-Gary & Mary
West Stables Inc. (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Florent Geroux.
$123,200. Lifetime Record: 20-10-1-1, $8,559,858.
2–Not This Boy, 120, g, 4, Not This Time–Jeana Baby, by
Super Saver. O/B-Zimmer Ridge Ranch (KY); T-William D.
Cowans. $40,000.
3–Jokestar, 118, g, 4, Practical Joke–Starmaline, by Star
Guitar. 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Al Ulwelling & Bill Ulwelling
(ON); T-William E. Morey. $20,000.
Margins: HD, 7HF, HF. Odds: 1.40, 0.70, 28.00.
Also Ran: Heroic Move, Cornishman, Ode to Balius, Tatanka. Scratched: Full Spectrum, The Wine Steward. Click for the Equibase.com chart.

 

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